Michigan State University's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Agenda

Over 140 Employees Working on DEI Action Items at Michigan State University

Currently, Michigan State University has a team of more than 140 employees who are working on 222 distinct action items related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The total salaries of these employees, some of whom are entirely dedicated to DEI, exceed $18 million, as per an analysis by College Fix.

DEI Goals Include Inclusive Language Guide

One of the DEI objectives includes the development of an "inclusive language" guide. This guide advises university employees to refrain from using terms such as "America" and from employing imagery associated with Easter and Christmas.

Data and Salary Information

The data was obtained from the university's most recent "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" report. Salary information was sourced from the university and the government watchdog group Open the Books. In some instances, the salaries of certain employees were estimated based on the lowest salaries for similar positions.

Specific Action Items and Progress

Some action items are more specific, such as the creation of an "LGBTQIA2S+ Resource Guide" by the human resource department. The guide aims to provide links to gender-affirming and transition-related care benefits, specifically for the trans and non-binary community. Other items include fostering a team culture and building meaningful relationships with diverse constituents. According to the latest report, the university has yet to commence work on approximately 25% of its goals, with only 10% (22 in total) fully implemented.

University Response

The university disputed the numbers provided by The Fix. It stated that diversity, equity, and inclusion are values that align with and enable their mission of expanding educational access for all. The university also clarified that no budget is specifically dedicated to 'DEI' and that DEI administrators constitute only a small fraction of personnel.

High-Level Leaders and Salaries

Some of the higher-level leaders include Executive Vice President for Health Sciences Norman Beauchamp, who earns $729,994 per year, according to Open the Books. Other high-paid administrators focused on DEI include Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Jabbar Bennett, who earns $363,511 per year, and Deborah Johnson, director of the Diversity Research Network, who earns $204,471 per year.

Criticism of University's Spending

A conservative Michigan think tank criticized the university's spending, suggesting that taxpayers have been providing public universities with billions of dollars without asking for anything in return. They suggested that lawmakers should reassess the amount of money given to state universities to ensure that taxpayers are getting good returns on their investments.

What are your thoughts?

This article highlights the ongoing efforts and spending at Michigan State University on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the university's spending on these initiatives is justified? Share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.